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In week ended 5th January, the deadweight prime cattle average price levelled on the week at 365.0p/kg. read more

As domestic lamb continues to compete with increased volumes of cheaper imports and demand remains subdued, DW lamb prices eased in week ended 5th January. read more

World prices eased back towards the end of 2012 although remained at levels comparable to the same period in 2011. read more

Having shot to record levels during September and October, GB finished pig prices continued to rise in November and early December, albeit more slowly. read more

The GB weekly average price rose by £4.63/t to £227.93/t and the free-buy average fell by £4.45/t to £330.74/t. read more

Mid-January saw the release of much-anticipated information from the USDA in the form of world supply and demand estimates, US winter wheat plantings, final 2012 production estimates and quarterly stocks. read more

The USDA data set a bearish tone for oilseed markets with upward revisions to US and Brazilian crops. read more

UK malting barley export prices are at €245/t FOB (spring, South Coast) w/e 11th April. read more

The latest National Statistics produced by Defra on the activity of UK hatcheries and poultry slaughterhouses. read more

USDA’s latest quarterly stocks report, released on 28th September, estimated US maize stocks (at 1st September) at 25.1m t, down 12% on the same point in 2011 and the lowest since 2004. read more

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PAPERS

Scotland’s largest turkey this festive season is weighing in at a whopping 70lb, and the man who bred it has installed state-of-theart security in a bid to deter thieves. Farmer David Gall is worried the credit crunch may force people to take drastic measures. So to stop anyone stealing his huge bird, which will feed up to 100 people and could fetch £1500, he has installed CCTV and street lamps. David said: "Our turkeys are well known for being the biggest in the country. They’re high profile and they’re high value - it seems obvious that people might target us. That ’s why we’re making the place as secure as we can." David, who runs Donside Turkeys in Inverurie, Aberdeenshire, breeds around 2000 birds a year. His busiest time is Christmas, as hotels bulk buy his huge turkeys. Every year he beats all his competitors to breed Scotland’s largest bird. Last year’s made £1000 at auction and the year before one sold for £1700. David said: "These birds are pampered like you wouldn’t believe. "They are fed the best local grain twice a day and are hand-fed, not machine-fed. That’s why they keep getting bigger. This latest bird is not one for a kitchen oven - if one family bought it they’d be eating it until July." David took over the business when his father Ronald retired after setting it up 50 years ago. This year’s birds will mostly end up at hotels in the north-east of Scotland.

Heavy snow continues to disrupt farming in the Borders with reports that farm buildings around the region have now come down under the weight of snow. As farmers work hard to provide feed, water and shelter to their stock, the Union urges them to make sure that safety for themselves, family and staff must remain a priority. To help keep farms running, discussions between NFU Scotland and Scottish Government have already helped secure a temporary relaxation of drivers’ hours and working-time rules for hauliers involved directly in the distribution of animal feed and fuel oil. The Union would like to see a general relaxation introduced that would also assist those involved in livestock haulage – a vital concession as we run into the important Christmas period. While fuel supplies are, by-in-large available, distribution of red diesel and heating oil to farms is a growing concern and NFUS is urging members to contact fuel suppliers to investigate if central distribution points at which fuel can be collected are feasible. Such fuel collection stations are already operating in parts of the Borders. NFU Scotland’s Chief Executive James Withers said: “With little respite from the weather likely until the end of the week, our focus is on helping farming families deal with the weather by getting vital feed and fuel through to them. At the same time, we are working hard with Scottish Government on how we can keep Scotland’s food and farming industries running."